First SW setup

[ordi260]

Hello everyone!

I am very comfortable with FW but i want to make the switch to the salt side 
I am in the stage of choosing the fish / corals that i want in my set-up, equipment etc...

Ill post my ideas and if someone have any advices it would be appreciated.
If you have good links to begginers how to guide or similar stuff and willing to share, it would be appreciated!

Thanks

al

[ordi260]

So first of all, I am thinking of a relatively small tank (33 gallons top).

I definitely want to grow soft corals (i am thinking about pulsing xenias, some mushrooms, Finger Leather Coral, Button Polyps, Lobed Brain Coral). 
I am also looking to get some corals with fluo colors (still have to dig for their name and specifications) and eventually some hard corals too.

For the fish, i will go with 1 or 2 False Percula Clownfish or other similar specie of clown (im thinking about this one because it apparently is a little bit smaller than other clown varieties).

Clean up crew will look like this: 1 shrimp, 5 X turbo snail, 5 X blue legged hermit crabs.

[ordi260]

Equipments:

lighting, im thinking about 4X 30 inches T5 HO, two 10k daylight and the other 2 with acticnics.
skimmer: UNKNOWN
powerhead: Koralia 1 and 1 small maxijet
Live rock: I really dont know much about them, any ideas? Around 30 pounds on a 2" sand bed

[Vincenzo.]

ur on the right track. if ur just interested in softies the lighting is bang on. but im sure you'll want some lps and maybe some sps, so go for a 4-6 bulb t5 light and you can grow anything.

fish choice : good starter fish, clowns are really 'durable' fish. plus you can get a Nem or a lps they can host.

skimmer : u could just go with a HOB, since the biocube one will take up some space.

power heads: if you have the cash go with a mp10 or better yet a mp20. if cash is an issue go with a K3 and a K2. (flow is very important, and no such thing as overkill)

live rock: it all depends on the style you want. myself personally i like the mass load of rock look, where as most people like to see little rock, for all the corals to grow in nice.

^if you want less rock, have you thought about a sump / fuge ? you could have a 20g display tank with a 40g breeder with all the equipment in there, a huge spot for extra  live rock (if you want a bonsai style tank) and cheato.

[ordi260]

if you want less rock, have you thought about a sump / fuge ? you could have a 20g display tank with a 40g breeder with all the equipment in there, a huge spot for extra  live rock (if you want a bonsai style tank) and cheato.

Oh and i forgot to say that im trying to get the setup done without using a sump!

[Vincenzo.]

then for a 20g personally i would add 30lbs or rock and 1.5'' - 2'' sand bed.

[QueensU]

If you haven't already filled the tank with water, I would highly recommend getting it drilled, and putting a bulkhead fitting in the back. You can always cap it off for later. This will prevent you from having to use an overflow box when you want to hook a sump up alter. (yes i did say WHEN.)

[ordi260]

Ok so i have changed my mind, i will go with a bigger tank! 33 gallon is purchased, i saw a light fixture at 289 bucks its a. 4 X 24W high output from current usa, dual timer included and moonlight, what do you think about that? Is it a good price? I think it would be enough to grow most soft and hard corals in my 33 right?  Also, what kind of skimmer should i get? There is too much choice!

[mikerobart]

Have you bought the light yet ? If I was going to do t5ho on a reasonable budget I'd look to the sunlight supply tek light. Best price in Ottawa probably here: http://ovas.ca/index.php?board=43.0

[mikerobart]

You getting it drilled for a sump ?  A 20g would make a good sump. The swc-120 would be a good skimmer on that water volume. Or a Vertex IN-80 maybe. Bubble magus seems to be making good stuff for a decent price as well.

Whoops you said no sump. Octopus / salt water connection make apparently decent HOBs no personal experience but I have read good things. Keep in mind having a sump really really makes for a better overall experience... can get better skimmer, hide equipment, constant water level in display, refugium.. list goes on.

[salvini55]

sump it! youll thank us later

[ordi260]

My 33gallon is 30 inches long and i will get it drilled to upgrade with a sumps eventually, thanks for the advice but i cant afford the extra cost of the sump at the moment. I am looking for a hob skimmer or a in tank model

[Severum]

Once its full of water you don't exactly want to be drilling the tank, unless you empty it which it a pain in the rear.

[ordi260]

The tank is empty right now and ill get it drilled before filling it up yeah

[White Lightning]

Welcome to the world of salt! I must forewarn you....venturing down the road of marine does not compare to your previous freshwater experience. Although some simularities are present, you will encounter many differences between he two. First....you will find yourself reading ten times as much. Second...everything you read will be a contradiction of the last thing you read.... Third.....your wallet might be a little lighter. Fourth.....your options for tank inhabitants is a million time more exciting and last but not least....you may find yourself sitting in front of your tank for hours examining your mini ecosystem for new signs of life. 


It's an awesome hobby...enjoy! If you are thinking about an HOB skimmer, I would go with the Octopus skimmer. Does a good job

[JetJumper]

Third.....your wallet might be a little lighter.

haha! Or Empty

[ordi260]

That's the baby...what do you think?  I was told by the salesperson that i would be able to grow most corals with it (soft and hard).

http://www.bigalsonline.com/edealinv/servlet/ExecMacro?nurl=control/StoreItem.vm&ctl_nbr=3684&siId=3349553&catParentID=57011&scId=57011

What do you think about it?

[Benja]

I started sw over 6 months ago.  I jump started by buying 3 complete sw setups off ovas.

1.I think the 33g is a mistake.  30" long is hard to work with because fixtures are typically 24" 36" 48"(unless you buy an adjustable one)
- 40g breeders are probably the nicest small/med tanks IMO

2.Octopus HOBs are ideal for your situation... especially if you plan to run that way long term.

3.If you are buying used stuff.  Don't buy/use used sand.  GOLDEN RULE

4.Suitable lighting is relative to the depth of tank & corals you plan on keeping. 
-I use two 48" HO T-5 sunblasters + one t-8 actinic bulb over my 48" 75g tank. 
Overstocked with lps and softies, everything is growing(really slow mind you)
-If you plan to grow sps hard corals you need intense lighting, shallow tank, and pristine water condition(low phosphates&nitrates)-(sump w/fuge\DSB\etc)

5.That current USA sundial light fixture has plenty of juice.  But, I personally wouldn't shell out that cash for a 30" fixture.       

Good Luck

[ordi260]

2.Octopus HOBs are ideal for your situation... especially if you plan to run that way long term.
where can i get them? It seems obvious seing your comments that i need to get one of those...

4.Suitable lighting is relative to the depth of tank & corals you plan on keeping. 
The tank is 13.5 inches depth

5.That current USA sundial light fixture has plenty of juice.  But, I personally wouldn't shell out that cash for a 30" fixture. 
I actually doesnt really mind paying 250$ for it since i already own the 33 and the stand that goes along with it (old FW setup).
My main concern is about, is it a good ficture to grow many different corals (considering 13.5 inches depth)

[littlelil]

One suggestion: Be careful with the pulsing xenia as a beginner salty. I got it when I first started in salt and because I was only a beginner, i wasn't careful with all the nutrients, etc... the xenia took over the tank like it was a disease. It basically choked all my other corals. I had to sell off everything and start over with new rocks and stuff. Just wait a while before you get the xenia... wait until you are totally familiar with what nutrients do what to your tank, phosphates, nitrates, etc..

I have also been hunting for a good skimmer at a reasonable price (i also had a 33g). I tried the Tunze nano and i really didn't like it. I got rid of it almost right away. I have been looking at the Aqua C Remora... from the hundreds of reviews i've been reading over the years on skimmers suitable for a 33g, this is the best skimmer for a small budget: http://www.jlaquatics.com/product/ps-acrem/Aqua+C+Remora+Hang-On+Protein+Skimmer.html.

good luck! hope to see pics soon!